2025 CHIEFTAiN
Coinneach Macleod - Hebridean baker
On behalf of the organising committee, I am absolutely thrilled to welcome back Coinneach to Bute Highland Games as our 2025 Chieftain. We are very lucky to have someone as renowned and up and coming as Coinneach in the world of media to join us for this year's games.
Billy Shields, Chairman
International best-selling author Coinneach MacLeod, the Hebridean Baker returns to Bute Highland Games as Chieftain.
Coinneach was born and raised on the beautiful island of Lewis, the most northerly of the Outer Hebrides of Scotland. Inspired by family recipes, Scottish flavours and the myths & legends of the Hebrides, his four cookbooks have made him Scotland’s best-selling cookbook author.
Each book, while celebrating Scottish culinary traditions, brings a broader narrative of tradition, folklore, travel and the vibrant cultural tapestry of the Hebrides. With tales of island life, historical adventures, maritime journeys around far flung isles and tips on how to live life the Hebridean way, these cookbooks are a celebration of tradition, innovation and the sheer joy of sharing comforting, delicious food that you want to make yourself - inviting readers to savour the essence of Scotland, one delectable recipe at a time.
Coinneach appears regularly on TV and will soon begin filming his own BBC series and has appeared on ITV's This Morning. His distinctive approach to combining food with travel adventures has earned him Scotland's Food & Drink Influencer of the Year title, and has his eighth North American book tour in 2025. His social media precense on instagram @hebrideanbaker with his unique take on foodie travel adventures have been viewed over 31 million times and his podcast Scottish Island Adventures seen him sharing the best of the Hebrides one island at a time and we were thrilled that episode 3 of the series brought Coinneach to Bute Highland Games in 2023, you can listen to the podcast here!
We very much looking forward to once again welcoming Coinneach to Bute Highland Games.
Hebridean Baker, The Scottish Cookbook is an irresistible culinary voyage that promises recipes to inspire you in the kitchen and an immersive journey into the heart of Scotland's islands. Coinneach returns with his fourth cookbook sharing with his readers the art of Scottish baking with delicious, timeless recipes.
From savoury pies to his indulgent puddings, biscuit tin favourites, cakes for every occasion to festive treats, these recipes are all woven together with captivating narratives.
Each chapter, while celebrating Scottish culinary traditions, brings a broader narrative of tradition, folklore, travel and the vibrant cultural tapestry of the Hebrides. With tales of island life, historical adventures, maritime journeys around far flung isles and tips on how to live life the Hebridean way, this cookbook is a celebration of tradition, innovation and the sheer joy of sharing comforting, delicious food.